Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport, which boarded more people than ever in 2017, also saw its airlines gain passengers with Delta Air Lines surging and claiming nearly half of all traffic.
Delta boardings soared nearly 8 percent higher last year than in 2016 as the Atlanta-based airline’s share of air traffic in Chattanooga is up almost 30 percent from a decade ago, figures show.
While the airport hit a new record of 484,517 boardings last year, up 15.6 percent, Delta’s Express Jet service captured 231,151 of the total, or 47.7 percent, according to Lovell Field.
“It’s a big player in the Southeast,” said airport Chief Executive Terry Hart about Delta. “It has a major hub in Atlanta. Many of our business travelers frequent Delta. It’s important they continue to do well.”
Airport traffic
Delta Air Lines service captured 47.7 percent of Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport boardings in 2017. Below are boardings by airline:› Delta: 231,151› American: 168,349› United: 51,632› Allegiant: 31,512› Charters: 1,873Source: Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport